Dick D'Agostin
Dick D'Agostin | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Richard Earl D'Agostin |
| Also known as | "Bird", "Bear", "Thun" |
| Born | November 5, 1936 |
| Origin | Beloit, Wisconsin |
| Died | 1993 California |
| Genres | Rock and Roll, Rockabilly blues, (unrecorded), various types, esp. influenced in his later years by Lightnin' Hopkins, B.B. King, Albert King, Big Joe Turner, James Brown, Etta James. |
| Occupations | Singer, pianist, guitarist, dancer, actor, Supervising Deputy Probation Officer with Los Angeles County Probation Department - operating out of Central Juvenile Hall |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica |
Richard Earl D'Agostin, was an American rock and roll musician best known for touring with Eddie Cochran.[1] D'Agostin sang and played piano and guitar as the frontman for The Swingers, composed of drummer Gene Riggio, lead guitar Dave Oster, saxophonist Paul Kaufman, bassist Wayne Messick, and D'Agostin's brother Larry D'Agostin on guitar.[2]
Career
Dick D'Agostin and The Swingers
On February 7, 1959, Eddie Cochran performed live on Town Hall Party with Dick D'Agostin and the Swingers. Cochran played "C'mon, Everybody", "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You", "Don't Blame It On Me", "Summertime Blues", "School Days", Gene Autry's "Be Honest With Me", and "Money Honey". There was a brief interview segment on the show, where The Swingers were individually introduced.[3]
Dancing
While all the Swingers were also accomplished dancers, D'Agostin and his partner Judi Stein were the 1955 Al Jarvis dance champions, topping thousands of competitors.[4] He also edited dance columns for two of the first teen magazines, Dig and Modern Teen.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Eighteen and Anxious | ||
| 1958 | Earth vs. the Spider | Pianist | Alternative title: The Spider |
| 1958 | Hot Rod Gang | Stage dancer | Alternative title: Fury Unleashed |
Discography
Singles
Solo
- "Mean Mean Woman" b/w "Come On" (Accent Records, 1957)
as Dick D'Agostin and The Swingers
- "Night Walk" b/w "Give Me You" (Dot Records, 1958)
- "Nancy Lynne" b/w "Afraid to Take a Chance" (Dot Records, 1958)
- "It's You" b/w "I Let You Go" (Liberty Records, 1959)
- "Nancy Lynne" on YouTube
- "Afraid to Take a Chance" on YouTube
- "It's You" on YouTube
External links
References
- ^ * Bobby Cochran, Susan Van Hecke (2003). Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story. Hal Leonard. ISBN 978-0-634-03252-3.
- ^ * Julie Mundy (2001). Don't Forget Me: The Eddie Cochran Story. Billboard Books. ISBN 0823079317.
- ^ "Town Hall party TV show 1959 starring Eddie Cochran." YouTube. February 7, 1959. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Independent Press-Telegram from Long Beach, California. Feb. 19, 1956 page 25.